Overview of national and sectoral adaptation strategies and plans in Europehttps://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/overview-of-national-and-sectoral-2
Information reported by EU Member States under the European mechanism for monitoring and reporting information relevant to climate change (EU, 2013b). Additional information provided on a voluntary basis to the EEA up to June 2017. For other EEA member countries, information provided on a voluntary basis to the EEA up to June 2017.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).climate changemonitoringadaptationFigureFinancing Europe’s low carbon, climate resilient futurehttps://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/financing-europe2019s-low-carbon-climate/financing-europes-low-carbon-climate
The orderly transition to the low carbon, climate-resilient economy that Europe is aiming for is also an investment challenge that depends on a substantial redirection of finance flows towards more sustainable investments.
Meeting this challenge and harvesting the associated opportunities requires an improved knowledge base in terms of clear investment information at EU and national levels.
Assessing the state-of-play of climate finance tracking in Europe, a recent European Environment Agency (EEA) study indicates that few European countries have translated their national climate and energy objectives into corresponding investment needs and plans.
Financing Europe’s climate and energy objectives

EU climate and energy investment needs are substantial but manageable compared with the vast capacity of Europe’s financial system. These investments can fulfil headline climate and energy targetsandpay significant additional dividends in terms of job creation, reduced energy poverty, increased energy security, as well as improved air quality.

Targeted finance, well beyond the capacity of the public sector, will be needed to deliver Europe’s 2030 climate mitigation and energy targets. Reaching these targets will require a doubling of current annual investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency between 2021 and 2030.

EU analysis estimates the investment gap at the EU level to be in the order of EUR 177 billion per year. However, corresponding Member State specific information is not available in this estimate.

Assessing the state of play — new EEA study

Against this backdrop, the EEA commissioned a first stocktaking exercise of its kind involving its European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet) to help assess the current state-of-play on domestic climate finance tracking of public and private financial flows across Europe.

The main focus of the study,Assessing the state-of-play of climate finance tracking in Europe, was to identify the main data and knowledge gaps involved in tracking domestic climate finance in EEA Member Countries and at the EU level.

The study confirms that there are multiple data and knowledge gaps across all levels of analysis: national, European, private sources of finance, as well as on the sectoral level.

Country level

There is a general lack of comprehensive data availability on estimated climate investment needs as well as actual and planned climate finance spending. Only a handful of reported national Low-Carbon Development Strategies include quantified figures on estimated investment needs to achieve the outlined climate and energy targets. Only Belgium, France and, to some extent, Germany appear to have a more systematic approach for tracking actual spending related to climate mitigation activities using so called ‘climate finance landscapes’.

Domestic ‘climate finance landscapes’ support decision making and policy development.

shape and support national capital-raising plans to meet climate and energy objectives.

Domestic climate finance landscapes support decision making

The study outlines different features of climate finance landscapes and outlines how they have been applied in Belgium, France and Germany to track the roles of different financing sources, measure the effectiveness and efficiency of policy instruments to close investment gaps and assist institutions in devising new instruments and public intervention to re-direct financial flows from carbon-intensive to low-carbon investments at lesser cost.

Assessing EU level progress in public and private financing

The study suggests there is need for a more transparent split at the EU level between climate mitigation and adaptation spending of the overall EU budget and EU financial institution investment available for climate-relevant spending.

This in turn makes it difficult to assess progress in EU public spending on specific climate action areas and also prevents improved decision-making as to where the EU budget is best spent in terms of supporting the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient society and economy.

The private sector is expected to contribute the largest share of the remaining overall climate and energy financing needs. Yet it is the source of finance where least available data exists. Data from private sources would in particular help to strengthen the understanding about historic trends and current spending levels for the various mitigation and adaptation action areas and how these are financed. Currently, this information is primarily available for renewable energies. If it were to become available for other climate mitigation and adaptation action areas, the remaining investment challenge could be defined more accurately.

However there exists a clear interest and willingness among countries to engage in the further development of domestic climate finance tracking throughout Europe.

Climate adaptation

The data availability regarding finance for climate adaptation is generally less developed than finance information for climate mitigation, reflecting the more dispersed and integrated character of adaptation measures. Benchmark examples at the Member State level include Estonia and the Czech Republic where information exists covering detailed total investment needs associated with their established National Adaptation Plans. Estonia and Germany also constitute best practice examples with data availability for planned climate adaptation expenditures.

Improving the availability of climate finance information

The study identifies a lack of country-level preparedness and information regarding estimated total investment needs, as well as their current and planned expenditure volumes for climate and energy purposes. As a result, the EU estimates of total climate finance investment needs are not matched by complementary national assessments. This introduces considerable uncertainty about the magnitude and nature of the remaining investment challenge Europe is facing to meet and manage the transition to a low-carbon climate-resilient economy.

To improve the situation the EU and its Member States should rapidly strengthen their capacity to regularly perform domestic climate finance tracking and develop climate finance landscapes to link government spending, bank lending, corporate investment, and asset level data on capital investments. To that end, the study suggests a set of initial building blocks for improved climate finance tracking

The developing policy context in Europe

The EEA welcomes the forthcoming EU sustainable finance strategy as a resource to help outline concrete guidance and actions for how the EU and its Member States can move towards better tracking of climate finance and alignment of financial and climate policy.

The EEA supports the work of the European Commission’s High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance.

The EEA encourages efforts to develop forward looking national capital-raising plans related to their climate and energy objectives in order to strengthen investor confidence, increase investment attractiveness and provide certainty in terms of the direction and nature of the supply-pipeline of forthcoming investable projects. These capital raising plans could be stand-alone or be integrated into Climate Adaptation Plans, and into forthcoming National Energy and Climate Plans, or Low-Carbon Development Strategies. National capital-raising plans should also be developed addressing other environmental areas to ensure co-benefits and avoid overlaps.

Figure 1: Outlining the degree of accessibility of climate finance data across EEA Member Countries

The European Environment Agency (EEA) is an agency of the European Union. Our task is to provide sound, independent information on the environment. We are a major information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public.

]]>No publisherclimate changefinancingmitigationadaptation2017/07/05 16:05:00 GMT+2BriefingMonitoring, reporting and evaluation systems for adaptation in Europehttps://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/30-european-countries-sent-their-1
This map is derived from a combination of verified output of EEA's 2014 self-assessment survey (i.e. countries assessing themselves on the basis of a questionnaire; EEA, 2014) and update by member countries as of mid-October 2015. This map shows in green the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).adaptationonline questionnaire2017/06/02 12:40:35 GMT+2FigureKey observed and projected climate change and impacts for the main regions in Europehttps://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/key-past-and-projected-impacts-and-effects-on-sectors-for-the-main-biogeographic-regions-of-europe-5
The map shows the observed and projected climate change and impacts for the main biogeographical regions in EuropeNo publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).biogeographical regionsclimate changeglobal megatrendsadaptation2017/01/30 16:15:00 GMT+2FigureClimate change adaptationhttps://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate-change-adaptation/intro
Climate change is happening now and is expected to continue: temperatures are rising, rainfall patterns are shifting, ice and snow are melting and sea level is rising. Extreme weather and climate related events resulting in hazards such as floods and droughts will become more frequent and intense in many regions. Impacts and vulnerabilities for ecosystems, economic sectors, and human health and well-being differ across Europe. Even if global efforts to reduce emissions prove effective, some climate change is inevitable, and complementary actions to adapt to its impacts are needed.In order to prevent the most severe impacts of climate change, the countries that have signed up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed to limit the global mean temperature increase since pre-industrial times to less than 2 °C. To achieve this objective, global greenhouse gas emissions need to peak as soon as possible and decrease rapidly thereafter. For more information, see global climate change policies.

Impacts and vulnerability

Europe's largest temperature increases occur in southern Europe in summer and the Arctic region in winter, while precipitation is decreasing in southern Europe and increasing in the north. Projected increases in the intensity and frequency of heat waves and floods, and changes in the distribution of some infectious diseases and pollen can adversely affect human health. Climate change represents an additional pressure on ecosystems, and leads to northward and uphill shifts of many plant and animal species. It has an impact on sectors such as agriculture, forestry, energy production, tourism and infrastructure in general; most of the projected impacts in Europe are adverse.

European regions, including urban areas, that are particularly vulnerable to climate change include:

southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin;

mountainous areas;

coastal zones, deltas and floodplains;

Europe's far north and the Arctic.

Adaptation is necessary, that is, the anticipation of the effects of climate change and appropriate action to prevent or minimise the impacts. Strategies and actions are needed at the local, national, transnational and EU levels. The integration of climate issues into other policy areas, such as ecosystems and water management, disaster risk reduction, coastal zone management, agriculture and rural development, health services, urban planning and regional development, is essential and increasingly happening. Actions include technological measures, ecosystem-based measures, and measures addressing behavioural changes.

EU policies

Promoting action by Member States by encouraging all Member States to adopt comprehensive adaptation strategies and by providing funding to help them develop their adaptation capacities and take action. Supporting adaptation in cities by launching a voluntary commitment based on the Covenant of Mayors initiative (since 2015, the Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy).

'Climate-proofing' action at EU level by further promoting adaptation in key vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and cohesion policy, ensuring that Europe's infrastructure is made more resilient, and promoting the use of insurance against natural and man-made disasters.

Better informed decision-making by addressing gaps in knowledge on adaptation and further developing the European climate adaptation platform (Climate-ADAPT).

An increasing number of EEA member countries have adopted a national adaptation strategy, and several have developed and are implementing national adaptation action plans. Strategies and actions have also emerged in many cities and in transnational regions across Europe, including the Baltic Sea, and the Carpathian and Alpine regions.

EEA activities

The EEA supports the development and implementation of climate change adaptation in Europe, the evaluation of EU policies and the development of long-term strategies to adapt to climate change and to reduce disaster risk by providing relevant information. EEA information (observations, projections, indicators, assessments) focuses on climate change, impacts, vulnerability and adaptation actions in Europe.

The EEA works closely with the European Commission (DG Climate Action, DG Joint Research Centre, DG Eurostat), experts from its European Topic Centre on Climate Change Impacts, vulnerability and adaptation and with EEA Environment Information and Observation Network. The EEA also collaborates, among others, with the Copernicus climate change service, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), World Health Organisation Europe, International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Europe, The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Key activities and products include the assessment of climate change impacts and vulnerabilities in Europe, and the analysis of national, urban and sectoral climate change strategies and action plans. The EEA also maintains and manages the European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT).

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

]]>No publisherclimate changeadaptation2016/12/16 14:52:30 GMT+2PageOverview of national and sectoral adaptation strategies and plans in Europehttps://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/overview-of-national-and-sectoral-1
This table shows which EEA member countries have national adaptation strategies, national adaptation plans, and monitoring reporting and evaluation systems for adaptation in place or under development.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).climate changemonitoringadaptation2016/12/12 11:10:00 GMT+2FigureExtreme weather driving countries to adapt to climate change https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/extreme-weather-driving-countries-to
Adapting to climate change has reached the political agenda in most European countries, according to the most comprehensive analysis of adaptation in Europe published to date. Extreme weather events and EU policies were the most common reasons for beginning to address adaptation.The survey brings together detailed responses from 30 European countries, which are analysed in 'National adaptation policy processes in European countries - 2014', a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Climate change adaptation is an issue on the political agenda in more than three quarters of countries, according to the survey. Almost all countries stated that extreme weather events have triggered adaptation responses. The second most cited reason for developing national adaptation policies was European Union policies integrating climate change adaptation, followed by damage costs and scientific research.

Most countries identified barriers to taking action – more than three quarters of countries cited a lack of resources such as time, money or technologies as a barrier. 'Uncertainties about the extent of future climate change' and 'unclear responsibilities' were both seen as barriers by a large number of countries.

Despite these difficulties, half the countries reported a high or very high willingness to develop policies and to adapt at the national level. Willingness to adapt may be linked to a growing awareness of climate change, which has increased over the last five years in two thirds of the countries covered, according to respondents.

"This is the first time European countries' adaptation efforts have been analysed comprehensively," Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director, said. "Attention is often on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for good reason. But adaptation is inevitable, so it is positive that there is now political focus on this issue across Europe. Many countries now need to turn plans into action."

Climate change is expected to affect Europe with increased floods, droughts, heatwaves, rising sea levels and other widespread environmental changes, such as changing species distribution and crop growing seasons. The EEA's climate change indicators show the extent to which these trends have already been observed in Europe and beyond.

Despite a widespread awareness among politicians – 21 countries have National Adaptation Strategies – concrete action is still at an early stage in many European countries. So far 13 countries are already implementing adaptation policies, according to the survey. Providing information was the most commonly-mentioned type of adaptation policy instrument, while water management was the most commonly prioritised sector for adaptation.

Several countries have already put in place schemes to monitor, evaluate or report on their progress, while more than half are planning or working on such a scheme, the survey shows.

About this report

The main aim of the report is to share experiences, lessons learned and good practice in adaptation. The survey was carried out on a voluntary, self-assessment basis.

Information on adaptation

Climate-ADAPT, the European Climate Adaptation Platform, is a comprehensive portal for information on climate change adaptation in the EU. It includes a wealth of information on climate change impacts, varied case studies, EU policies, countries, decision-making tools and other resources.

]]>No publisherclimate changedroughtsglobal warmingstormsadaptationheatwavesfloodingextreme events2014/10/13 13:10:00 GMT+2NewsEurope’s climate continues to change https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/europe2019s-climate-continues-to-change
The period from 2004-2013 was the warmest decade on record in Europe. Many other changes significant for Europe have been observed across the climate system, including warming oceans, rising sea level and shrinking snow cover, ice sheets, sea ice and glaciers.In the last decade global near-surface average annual temperature was 0.75 - 0.81 °C warmer than the pre-industrial average. Other records have been broken in recent months – global average temperatures in May and June 2014 were the highest monthly averages ever recorded, according to the World Meteorological Organisation.

These are a few of the many trends featured in 13 climate change indicators recently published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Using graphs, maps and concise analysis, the indicators demonstrate some of the most important observations and projections of climate change and its impacts.

The update also improves projections of future climate change. Global sea-level rise projections have been revised upwards, based on new climate models that better represent the effects of melting ice sheets on sea level rise. This indicator now also includes regional sea-level rise projections for the European regional seas. In addition, several indicators now include projections of further snow and ice decline. For example, if greenhouse gases continue to be emitted at high levels, the Arctic Ocean is projected to be nearly ice-free every September before mid-century.

In many cases, the indicators feature information from the recent Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the physical science of climate change published in September 2013, although several indicators have been updated with even more recent information and adding trends and projections relevant for Europe.

Adapting to climate change

As the climate changes, many European countries, regions and cities are trying to adapt to the prospect of more heatwaves, droughts, floods and a rising sea level. These efforts range from public policy (adaptation strategies and action plans) to major infrastructure works. Some of these efforts are illustrated in several updated case studies featured on the Climate-ADAPT website.

After several near-flood events in the Netherlands in the 1990s, the country decided to manage river flood risk differently in a project called ‘Room for the River’. One example is in the city of Nijmegen. The city is constructing an ancillary channel on the flood plains and an urban river park. These measures allow more water to be stored in the event of high river water levels. There are also other benefits, including room for living, recreation, cultural events, and wildlife.

For Zaragoza in Spain, climate change presents a very different problem. In 1996, drought and projections of declining river flows prompted Spain’s fifth largest city to promote a ‘water saving culture’ with revised water tariffs and positive examples of how people and businesses can use water more efficiently. A parallel programme of upgrading infrastructure also helped reduce water use by reducing leaks and upgrading waste water treatment. Over fifteen years, the city cut water consumption by almost 30 %.

Climate-ADAPT is an online portal with a wealth of information on how the EU, countries, cities or municipalities can best adapt to climate change. It has recently been revamped to include new or improved case studies, search features, country information, an updated adaptation support tool and more extensive pages on the funding opportunities available for adaptation.

More information

The indicators update information published in 2012 as part of an assessment of climate change impacts in Europe. The EEA will publish a fully-updated version of the report in 2016. In autumn 2014 the EEA will publish a detailed assessment of how European countries are adapting to climate change.

]]>No publisherglobal warmingclimate changeadaptationtemperature increase2014/08/05 16:55:00 GMT+2NewsEnvironment, health and wellbeing: a systemic approachhttps://www.eea.europa.eu/articles/environment-health-and-wellbeing-a
The natural environment can benefit our health and quality of life, while environmental pollution has significant costs. Unfortunately, such links between environment, health and wellbeing are often ignored within science and policy. A new report highlights the importance of taking a broader, more systemic view.

Climate change is not just an environmental issue – it is also a health issue. For example, consider the spread of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), a flowering plant native to North America. The seeds probably crossed the Atlantic from the 19th Century onwards as agricultural products including birdseed. It has spread more vigorously in recent years as climate change has allowed the plant to extend its range northwards.

While ragweed has an environmental cost – it can significantly reduce crop yields and harms ecosystems by outcompeting native plant species – the invasive plant is best known for its health effects. The pollen is one of the most aggressive in causing allergic reactions among those sensitive, including the one in five Europeans who suffer from allergies, one in seven with allergic rhinitis or one in eleven with asthma. During periods of high pollen counts, there are few places to hide, as the pollen can travel hundreds of kilometres.

In addition to the spread of ragweed, evidence suggests that climate change is making the pollen more potent and extending the pollen season. So forward looking health authorities could benefit from looking at climate change projections in order to anticipate and adapt to future health risks.

This story illustrates the importance of considering the environment, health and wellbeing together rather than separately because these issues interact in complex ways with a range of costs and benefits for society. The example comes from a recent report on the 'environment, health and wellbeing (EHWB) nexus' published by European Environment Agency's (EEA) Scientific Committee. The document follows a seminar held at the EEA on February 12 this year, which brought together experts and policy makers from many different fields. Many of the participants argued for a new type of inter-disciplinary science which takes a systemic view, looking at the many positive and negative links and trade-offs between these usually separate areas.

More complexity, less certainty

It may seem there is nothing new about considering different policy areas together – air pollution, for instance, has often been considered in terms of its health implications. But the report argues that research should further incorporate these areas, allowing us to gain a system-wide understanding of multiple causes and effects.

Such a change in thinking is more necessary than ever, according to many of the participants in the February workshop. In the past, environmental issues have often been treated as isolated problems with a clear cause and effect. If a lake was polluted, for example, conventional wisdom dictated that the problem was caused by a single point source of pollution.

Nowadays, we are increasingly looking at things differently. Risks interact in complex ways, with multiple causes and effects. We may come to realise that the pollution problem in the lake was the result of complex chemical reactions in the atmosphere between different pollutants and substances.

Of course, part of the reason things seem more complex is that we have a better understanding of the world's complex systems. But it is also true that the world is more complex and interconnected. Globalisation has accelerated global environmental problems - climate change is a striking example of an issue which is truly global in its causes and effects. Other examples include the global movement of pollutants and the way economic trends can deplete resources on the other side of the planet.

Such complexity means it may be impossible to determine a single cause for an environmental or health problem. In the case of illness caused by ragweed, there may be other factors at play alongside pollen – some studies have shown that allergies are worsened by air pollution. Indeed, this is just one of a cocktail of many hundreds of chemicals, substances in air and water, pathogens radiation and other stresses in everyday life. Add differing levels of vulnerability to this mix, and we may start to understand the complexity.

Health science can also benefit from taking a broader EHWB view. Consider the increasing incidence of some types of cancers – by taking an EHWB view, health systems could focus on the multiple aspects of our lifestyles which can increase the risk of cancer, rather than just treatment. Such a preventative approach could mean reducing exposure to chemicals and pollution for multiple benefits.

Another preventative health policy could be to create nature reserves. While the benefits for biodiversity are well known, there is growing recognition that enjoyment of the natural world can improve both physical and psychological health. Access to green space in cities has been linked to longer and healthier lives in elderly people, and improvements in early years development. These benefits could even spur a positive cycle – other research suggests that those in good health have a greater possibility of looking after the environment.

Environmental policy is increasingly looking at these links. The European Union recently adopted its 7th Environmental Action Programme, setting out priorities for the next few years. Titled 'Living well, within the limits of the planet', the document has an explicit focus on improving the environment in order to reap benefits for health and wellbeing.

Breaking out of separate silos of 'environment', 'health' or 'wellbeing' can help forward-looking policy and science. By 2050, 80 % of the EU population is expected to live in urban areas, and 30 % will be over the age of 65. This raises several questions - will air pollution be a more serious issue for a large elderly urban population? And will the effects of pollution be exacerbated by the increased temperatures expected from climate change? Trying to predict such systems-wide changes can be extremely complex – but it seems increasingly likely to be the most rational way of preparing for the future.

]]>No publisherclimate changepublic healthwellbeinghealthadaptationwell-being2014/07/09 09:20:00 GMT+2ArticleIPCC report shows growing risks from already-present climate changehttps://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/ipcc-report-shows-growing-risks
Climate change is already having substantial and widespread impacts around the world, according to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Drawing on a larger body of evidence than ever before, it highlights a wide range of risks in vital areas such as food supply, human health and economic development.Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency said: "Climate change is now visible in Europe and in all other regions of the world. As the report notes, the world is ill-prepared for the changes we have already put in motion, so we need to adapt. In addition, we urgently need to reduce global emissions to avoid the most extreme impacts. The window for action is closing fast."

Risks for Europe include:

Increased risk of coastal flooding, erosion and economic losses across Europe due to accelerating sea-level rise

Increased risk of inland flooding in many river basins due to projected increases in heavy rainfall

Increased economic, ecological and social impacts due to stronger and more frequent heat waves, including health impacts, decreasing labour productivity, crop losses, ecosystem decline and increasing risk of wildfires in southern Europe

Increased water restrictions due to significant reductions in water availability, particularly in southern Europe

The report from the IPCC Working Group II (WG II) assesses the impacts of climate change, while also considering the vulnerability and exposure for both humans and the natural world to these impacts. It also explores how the world can adapt to a changing climate.

The report is the second part of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report, which brings together thousands of scientists from across the world to present an objective and complete assessment of current information.

The EEA also carries out its own assessments, for example on climate change impacts and adaptation. The messages from these earlier EEA assessment reports are in line with the latest IPCC report. The EEA also manages the Climate-ADAPT web portal which brings together information on climate change adaptation from a huge variety of organisations and projects across Europe. While the risks highlighted in the IPCC report may seem daunting, many countries, regions and cities are taking action to adapt to climate change, according to some information on the portal.

More information

]]>No publisherclimate changeipccadaptationglobal warmingar52014/03/31 11:55:00 GMT+2NewsEurope must adapt to stay ahead of a changing climate https://www.eea.europa.eu/media/newsreleases/europe-must-adapt-to-stay
As Europe’s climate warms, wine producers in Europe may need to change the type of grapes they cultivate or the location of vineyards, even moving production to other areas in some cases. This is just one example of how Europe’s economy and society need to adapt to climate change, as examined in a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).The ‘Adaptation in Europe’ report describes the policies and some of the measures taken at EU level and by European countries. Sofar half of the 32 EEA member countries have plans for adaptation, and some have started to take action, although all countries still have a lot of work to do.

While global mitigation efforts should continue to aim to limit global temperature increases to 2 °C, the report states that it is necessary to prepare for a greater range of temperature increases and other climate changes. This is needed to properly account for the many uncertainties in climatic and socio-economic projections.

An earlier EEA report has shown that climate change is already affecting all regions in Europe, causing a wide range of impacts on society and the environment. Further impacts are expected in the future if no action is taken. Observations show higher average temperatures across Europe Precipitation is decreasing in southern regions and increasing in northern Europe.

Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, said: “Adaptation is about new ways of thinking and dealing with risks and hazards, uncertainty and complexity. It will require Europeans to cooperate, to learn from each other and to invest in the long-term transformations needed to sustain our well-being in the face of climate change.”

Europe begins to adapt

The report recommends a combination of different measures – ‘grey’ measures such as technological and engineering projects, ‘green’ ecosystem-based approaches using nature, and so-called ‘soft’ measures such as policies to change governance approaches. The most effective adaptation projects often combine two or more different approaches, the report says.

For example, adaptation on France’s Mediterranean coast uses an integrated approach considering climate change, tourism, transport and biodiversity. In urban areas green spaces and water bodies work together with building design to reduce heatwave risks. Barcelona has also started to adapt to water shortages with a new highly efficient desalination plant. This ‘grey’ project works in tandem with other ‘soft’ initiatives such as incentives to reduce water consumption, reducing the impacts from prolonged droughts.

While the cost of adaptation may be high in some cases, the report emphasises the overall savings from some adaptation actions. One of the largest ecosystem-based adaptation projects is restoring the Danube river basin to its previously natural state. Although it will cost an estimated € 183 million, it should help prevent flooding such as the 2005 event which alone cost € 396 million in damages.

Early warning systems to help predict forest fires, floods and droughts have been set up in Europe. Such soft measures can help communities cope with risks, the report says. A similar project in Italy has set up early warning systems for mosquito-borne diseases expected to increase with climate change.

Future challenges

Europe needs to adapt to climate change in a coherent way, ensuring adaptation is integrated in EU and national policies, the report says. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach – adapting to climate change should respond to national and local conditions.

There is still uncertainty in climate change projections, and it is difficult to accurately estimate future risks as socio-economic aspects are also changing. For these reasons adaptation planning should be flexible enough to cope with unforeseen circumstances and a range of future climate changes, the report says. For example, the upgrade of the Thames Barrier which protects London from coastal flooding is being planned to keep options open, so it can be adjusted depending on the trend in sea level rise.

Climate-ADAPT has a wealth of case studies and other information to help countries, regions and cities adapt to climate change. The website includes information on projected climate impacts and national actions as well as news and upcoming events.

]]>No publisherclimate changeadaptation strategiesdroughtsclimate change adaptationadaptationheat wavesfloods2013/04/24 11:45:00 GMT+2Press ReleaseClimate change and flood risk in European citieshttps://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/climate-change-and-flood-risk
Increased flooding is likely to be one of the most serious effects from climate change in Europe over coming decades. Some of the conditions which may contribute to urban flooding are highlighted in a map from the European Environment Agency (EEA).The map is one example of the capabilities of Eye on Earth, an online mapping tool created by the EEA and partners. From 4 to 6 March 2013 the EEA is organising the First Eye on Earth User Conference in Dublin, Ireland. The event will bring together people with a common interest in sharing environmental data and information for public access.

What does the map show?

During heavy rain, cities may be flooded if the water cannot drain quickly into the ground and the sewage system in cities cannot cope with the amount of water. For this reason, the map also shows the mean percentage of each city covered with impervious surfaces such as buildings, concrete or asphalt, where the soil is ‘sealed’. Paris, Thessaloniki, Bucharest and Barcelona are just some of the cities with more than three quarters of their surface area sealed, meaning that there may be a risk that water cannot disperse so quickly into the ground during heavy rainfall.

However, it is important to be aware that soil sealing is only one factor contributing to increased risk of urban flooding. In 2011, extremely heavy rainfall in Copenhagen caused widespread flooding and damage when the sewers could not cope with the huge volume of water. Insurance damages alone were estimated at € 650–700 million. However, around 60% of the area of Copenhagen is sealed, less than many other cities.

A high amount of artificial areas also increases the temperature in cities. Interestingly, a 2012 EEA report on urban adaptation to climate change noted that green spaces can also help during heat waves by cooling urban areas. In some areas of Europe the number and length of heat waves is also expected to increase due to climate change, visually depicted in this map.

Climate change has been observed across Europe, according to another EEA report published in 2012. The effects are very varied across the continent. For example, precipitation has increased in the north, but decreased in the south, and most projections show that both trends will continue throughout this century.

About Eye on Earth

Eye on Earth is a public information network and online mapping platform developed by the EEA and partners. It is a unique online forum bringing together ‘official’ data providers and other networks such as civil society, and business and research communities to build an increasingly accurate picture of our environment.

The Eye on Earth network was included in Article 274 of the Rio+20 Earth Summit outcome document – The Future We Want - as a tool to assist policymakers in devising strategies and options for sustainable development and other global challenges.

At the First Eye on Earth User Conference, the EEA hopes to inspire new audiences to participate in and contribute to the Eye on Earth Network through the use and application of environmental data and information. The event is officially associated with the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

]]>No publisherclimate changeglobal warmingadaptationfloodscitiesprecipitation2013/03/01 13:40:00 GMT+2NewsNatural disasters in EEA member countrieshttps://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/natural-disasters-in-eea-member-1
Natural disasters in EEA member countries from 1980 to 2011.
Events can occur in several countries; events are counted country-wise.No publisherEEA standard re-use policy: unless otherwise indicated, re-use of content on the EEA website for commercial or non-commercial purposes is permitted free of charge, provided that the source is acknowledged (http://www.eea.europa.eu/legal/copyright). Copyright holder: European Environment Agency (EEA).thematic assessmentsriskclimate changenatural disastersadaptationextreme events2012/11/20 20:20:00 GMT+2FigureClimate change evident across Europe, confirming urgent need for adaptationhttps://www.eea.europa.eu/media/newsreleases/climate-change-evident-across-europe
Climate change is affecting all regions in Europe, causing a wide range of impacts on society and the environment. Further impacts are expected in the future, potentially causing high damage costs, according to the latest assessment published by the European Environment Agency today.The report, ‘Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012’ finds that higher average temperatures have been observed across Europe as well as decreasing precipitation in southern regions and increasing precipitation in northern Europe. The Greenland ice sheet, Arctic sea ice and many glaciers across Europe are melting, snow cover has decreased and most permafrost soils have warmed.

Extreme weather events such as heat waves, floods and droughts have caused rising damage costs across Europe in recent years. While more evidence is needed to discern the part played by climate change in this trend, growing human activity in hazard-prone areas has been a key factor. Future climate change is expected to add to this vulnerability, as extreme weather events are expected to become more intense and frequent. If European societies do not adapt, damage costs are expected to continue to rise, according to the report.

Some regions will be less able to adapt to climate change than others, in part due to economic disparities across Europe, the report says. The effects of climate change could deepen these inequalities.

Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director said: “Climate change is a reality around the world, and the extent and speed of change is becoming ever more evident. This means that every part of the economy, including households, needs to adapt as well as reduce emissions.”

Observed climate change and future projections – some key findings

The last decade (2002–2011) was the warmest on record in Europe, with European land temperature 1.3° C warmer than the pre-industrial average. Various model projections show that Europe could be 2.5–4° C warmer in the later part of the 21st Century, compared to the 1961–1990 average.

Heat waves have increased in frequency and length, causing tens of thousands of deaths over the last decade. The projected increase in heat waves could increase the number of related deaths over the next decades, unless societies adapt, the report says. However, cold-related deaths are projected to decrease in many countries.

While precipitation is decreasing in southern regions, it is increasing in northern Europe, the report says. These trends are projected to continue. Climate change is projected to increase river flooding, particularly in northern Europe, as higher temperatures intensify the water cycle. However, it is difficult to discern the influence of climate change in flooding data records for the past.

River flow droughts appear to have become more severe and frequent in southern Europe. Minimum river flows are projected to decrease significantly in summer in southern Europe but also in many other parts of Europe to varying degrees.

The Arctic is warming faster than other regions. Record low sea ice was observed in the Arctic in 2007, 2011 and 2012, falling to roughly half the minimum extent seen in the 1980s. Melting of the Greenland ice sheet has doubled since the 1990s, losing an average of 250 billion tonnes of mass every year between 2005 and 2009. Glaciers in the Alps have lost approximately two thirds of their volume since 1850 and these trends are projected to continue.

Sea levels are rising, raising the risk of coastal flooding during storm events. Global average sea level has risen by 1.7mm a year in the 20th century, and by 3mm a year in recent decades. Future projections vary widely, but it is likely that 21st century sea-level rise will be greater than during the 20th century. However sea level rise at European coasts varies, for example due to local land movement.

Besides heat-related health impacts, other human health effects are also important, the report says. Climate change plays a part in the transmission of certain diseases. For example, it allows the tick species Ixodes ricinus to thrive further north, while further warming may make parts of Europe more suitable for disease-carrying mosquitos and sandflies. The pollen season is longer and arrives 10 days earlier than 50 years ago, also affecting human health.

Many studies have measured widespread changes in plant and animal characteristics. For example, plants are flowering earlier in the year, while in freshwater phytoplankton and zooplankton blooms are also appearing earlier. Other animals and plants are moving northward or uphill as their habitats warm. Since the migration rate of many species is insufficient to keep pace with the speed of climate change, they could be pushed towards extinction in the future.

While there may be less water available for agriculture in southern Europe, growing conditions may improve in other areas. The growing season for several crops in Europe has lengthened and this is projected to continue, alongside the expansion of warm-season crops into more northerly latitudes.However the yield is projected to fall for some crops due to heat waves and droughts in central and southern Europe.

As temperatures rise, demand for heating has also fallen, saving energy. However, this must be balanced against higher energy demands for cooling during hotter summers.

Background

The report is intended to show the full extent of climate change impacts across Europe, also informing the European Commission’s European Adaptation Strategy to be published in March 2013. Moreover, the EEA will support the strategy with an assessment of a selection of adaptation actions across Europe, to be published in early 2013.

The website Climate-ADAPT includes a large amount of information intended to assist in developing and implementing climate change adaptation.